Monthly Archives: July 2014

Traveling to foreign countries is a big part of international marketing. You can learn a lot about your target audience and meet with professionals that can help grow your company by traveling to these areas. However, conducting business abroad takes careful planning to ensure success and it involves some extensive research.

Follow Proper Protocol on Your Foreign Business Trip

The way people conduct business is different in every country and what is considered acceptable in one area, may be offensive in another. For example, in some countries, it’s considered disrespectful to show up late for a meeting and in others, it’s customary to give gifts during business meetings. Not using the proper titles or mispronouncing names as you greet people is very offensive in some countries while in others, it’s rude if you don’t engage in small talk for a short period at the beginning of the meeting.

Some cultures enjoy conducting business while eating and others consider this practice unprofessional. Different countries also have different holidays, religious customs and workweeks that you must consider. With so many different cultures and ways of conducting business, you need to know proper protocol to avoid making a mistake that could cost your company a major deal and that requires extensive research.

Include Interpretation Services In Your Plans

The biggest obstacle you’ll face during your travels is the language barrier. You can’t conduct business if you can’t communicate efficiently. It takes years to learn a new language and to understand the culture of the foreign country you plan to visit but fortunately, that’s no longer necessary thanks to interpretation services.

Below are some of the benefits you’ll receive when using interpretation services during foreign business trips:

It helps you establish a relationship and build trust with your foreign clients and business partners. Interpreters are also familiar with the local customs and culture, so he can advise you on how to avoid insulting or offending anyone.

It reduces confusion and eliminates the risks of saying the wrong thing, which could lead to misunderstandings that could prevent your company from closing deals.

It shows respect because your company has made the effort to conduct business in the native language of those you meet with.

It helps you explain your business proposals and project plans more thoroughly, which will help you close more business deals.

Interpreters help to bridge the language gap so you can communicate more efficiently when marketing you business in foreign countries. Here at UniVerse Language Solutions, we offer a wide variety of interpretation services to help your company plan a successful foreign business trip and you can also request a free price quote for the services you need.

Plan All Meetings In Advance

Before traveling to the foreign country, set up and plan all of your meetings in advance. Make sure you send out all invitations early enough for people to make plans to be present and to receive verification that everyone can make it.

Scheduling one meeting in the morning and one in the afternoon is usually a good plan because it allows time in-between meetings to prepare for the next one. It also allows you extra time in case you’re invited to a luncheon or dinner to discuss your plans more thoroughly in a more relaxed setting.

Planning all meetings in advance, following proper protocol and using language interpretation services will go a long ways in making sure all of your foreign business trips are a success.

One valuable lesson in Business and Marketing, that I’ve used a lot, is to look at what’s working well in one industry and then try to apply it to your industry. For example: Did you know that the “Drive Thru Window” was not first introduced by Fast-Food restaurants? Nope! Actually, the “Drive Thru” was first used by Pharmacies. That’s right! Drive Thru Pharmacies came first. The Fast Food industry saw this and easily adapted it to their own industry.

So why the story? Well, this is exactly how Universe came to include the Ambient Noise Suppressor in its inventory of Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment. Among other things I’ve done in the past, I have quite a background in running sound systems for live music. Yup! I’m a “Sound Guy”. So, I’m pretty familiar with most of the gizmos & gadgets used in live sound systems – like Compressors, Limiters, Parametric Equalizers, Effect Processors, and Yup, you guessed it,… “Ambient Noise Suppressors”!

Now set all that aside for a moment, and let me talk about the “Real World” of Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment – used in the Real World of “Live” Interpretation Events.

Headset Microphones can pickup a lot of Ambient Noise.

Here’s the typical Live Interpretation Scenario:

The event’s presenter is speaking into a microphone which comes out of the room’s sound system.

The Interpreters sit in a Sound Reducing Interpretation Booth somewhere in the same room.

The Interpreters wear a Headset Microphone that they speak the “Interpreted” language into.

Well, the reality is – to one degree or another – the ambient noise in the room (opening/closing doors, people talking, coughing, air conditioner noise, etc,…) AND the presenter’s voice coming over the house sound system ALL finds its way into the Interpretation Booth and Into the Interpreter’s Headset Microphone!

What does all this mean? Here’s the point: All this ambient room noise (that we don’t want) gets into the Interpreter’s microphone and broadcast out to all the listeners as well as the Interpreter’s voice (which we do want). And given that the nature of Interpretation is that the Interpreter’s voice ALWAYS lags behind that of the presenter’s,… There is always plenty of space between the Interpreter’s words where all this NOISE is obvious to (and many times irritating to) the listeners!

Yup! That’s the way it is. And that’s the way it is with EVERY Type/Brand of Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment out there – regardless of the type of equipment used or who the Interpretation Service Provider is. This “Ambient Noise” issue is always there – like it or not!

Now back to my story: After I’d worked a good handful of Interpretation Events as the “Technician” and “Conference Manager”,… this noise issue started becoming pretty obvious to me. Actually, it really started “Bugging” me! See, my background as a Sound Guy – coupled with the fact that I’m a hopeless “Perfectionist” – prevented me from simply living with it. So to keep it from “Making Me Crazy”, I had no choice but to “Figure Something Out”.

Well once I’d put my finger on this issue, the solution was obvious. Viola! The “Ambient Noise Suppressor”! So I took what was commonly used in one industry (Live Sound) and applied it to another industry that had never heard of it (Simultaneous Interpretation).

The Ambient Noise Suppressor is a “Must Have” piece of Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment at many events!

Now I know you’re just dying to hear the technicality of how this gadget works,… so here ya go!

Actually, the concept is pretty simple (no need to get into “Ohm’s Law” or the physics of “Electro-Magnetism” to understand this thing – we’ll save all that for a future post :). Here’s the deal: Any sound louder than a preset volume level (threshold) is allowed to pass through the Interpreter’s Microphone and be broadcast out to the listeners (i.e. the Interpreter’s Voice). On the other hand, anything that is Quieter than this threshold (i.e. background noise) gets cutoff and is not broadcast out to the listeners. Simply said, you set this thing up so that the Interpreter’s voice gets through but all the background noise gets cut out. Pretty Cool Huh?

So here’s the end result: What the listeners hear is much cleaner and clearer – making it much easier to listen to and understand. They get an overall better experience because they don’t have to concentrate so hard just to hear the Interpreter’s voice above the clutter. They can just relax and listen naturally and focus on the presentation itself. Nice! We thought you’d like it. And you can only get it from Universe!

International marketing offers many advantages but the competition is tougher than ever before. This is because it’s easier than ever for companies to do business in foreign countries. To achieve success you need to make a good impression on consumers and build trust in your brand, so they’ll choose you over the competitor. Using interpretation services can help you accomplish that goal.

Even if you’re not interested in marketing your business in a foreign country, you can still benefit from interpretation services. You need this type of service when you do business in a country where the residents come from a wide variety of cultures and speak many different languages like in the U.S.

If you’re not translating your messages into the different languages, you could be overlooking many potential customers that could help your company grow. Interpretation services will ensure consumers who have an interest in your products or services hear your messages loud and clear, no matter what language they speak.

Ways Interpretation Services Build Trust in Your Brand

Using interpretation services will help build trust in your brand by making sure you have a clear line of communication between you and your customers. Have you ever tried to do business with someone when you couldn’t understand what they were saying? Did you find it hard to trust them? That’s how consumers feel about brands when you don’t take the initiative to have your messages translated and interpreted by a professional.

Below are three ways that interpretation services helps to build trust in your brand:

It Eliminates Frustration- Anytime there is a problem communicating you’ll find frustration, which makes it difficult for consumers to trust you. When consumers get frustrated due to the language barrier, they’ll look for a company that offers information in their own language.

It Improves Customer Service- You can’t expect to provide good customer service to someone if they can’t understand what you’re saying or if you don’t understand what the problem is. Therefore, this service improves customer service by making it possible for you to take care of the problem in an efficient and timely manner.

It eliminates misunderstandings- When someone tries to interpret your messages on their own, they may come up with a completely different meaning than what you intended. As a result, they may lose interest in your company altogether.

Interpretation services eliminate the problems caused by the language barrier. Here at Universe Language Solutions, we can help you to communicate efficiently with consumers all over the globe and you can even request a free quote for our services.

Why Building Trust in Your Company Is So Important

Consumers do business with companies they trust, so building trust in your brand will help your business grow. When people trust you, they feel confident that the products they buy or the services they receive will be of the utmost quality. This encourages them to buy from you instead of your competitors. It also encourages them to recommend your company to their family and friends.

Building trust builds consumer confidence and this helps your business to grow. Using interpretation services helps to build trust, because you’re communicating with consumers in their own language. They don’t have to try to guess what your business is all about, they’ll know exactly what you have to offer and how it’ll benefit them. As a result, your company can grow and thrive in your own country and when marketing in a foreign country.

Are you searching for a great place to retire or maybe to buy a vacation home? Perhaps you’re planning to extend your business so you’re searching for commercial real estate. Instead of staying in the same area, many individuals and companies are buying real estate in foreign countries. There are many excellent opportunities available but purchasing property in a foreign county does have its challenges.

Since you’re not familiar with the area, you have to do your research to look for the best location to buy property. This is time consuming but very necessary in order to find the real estate that suits your specific needs. The language barrier is another big problem. You can’t do business with someone if you can’t communicate with each other efficiently.

However, you don’t have to let these obstacles stand in your way. There are things you can do to ensure you’re happy with your purchase when buying real estate in a foreign country and these tips can help.

Visit the Area before Buying Real Estate in a Foreign Country

With the Internet and technology available today, you can take care of business all across the globe without ever leaving your area, including buying real estate. However, when buying property in a foreign country, it’s wise to take a trip and visit the area before making a final decision.

Visiting the area will allow you to meet the locals and see what the community is like before you make a major investment. If you travel with a consecutive interpreter, he can help you communicate with the locals more efficiently so you can learn even more about the area.

Visiting the location where you want to invest will also make it easier for you to find the best property for your specific needs. Real estate often looks different in person than it does in photos, so seeing it for yourself will help you determine if it’s what you really want.

Hire an Interpretation Service

Before you negotiate any deals or sign any contracts to buy property in a foreign county, you need consecutive and translation interpretation services to ensure you’re making the best choice. Whether you’re buying personal property or commercial real estate, it’s imperative that you have a clear line of communications before closing any deals.

The interpreter will help you negotiate the deal by providing a clear line of communication between you and the seller. The translator will ensure all paperwork is in order, so you don’t have to worry about misunderstandings that could cause you serious problems later.

Buying real estate in a foreign country offers many benefits but only if you take the steps necessary to make sure you’re actually getting the deal you think you are. Visiting the country and personally finding the property you want to purchase will ensure you find the right location whether you’re searching for personal property or commercial real estate.

Using a language interpretation service will enhance communications so you can negotiate the best deal. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that you covered all of the details before signing the paperwork.

Technology is always changing and evolving and the professionals that work in the technical field must keep excellent records of all the extensive research they do. Keeping all of the documents organized and updated is a challenge. However, it’s necessary in order to keep up with all the advancements and changes that take place in this industry, especially since things can change fast.

When the time comes to share your findings with others, you’ll need translation services that specialize in technical translation. A technical translator has a huge responsibility because even the smallest mistake could prove disastrous, depending on the type of information being translated. Since accuracy is imperative in this industry, translators must have a lot of patience and the experience needed to do the job right.

Below are some of the things you need to look for when choosing a technical translator for your institute.

Technical Translation Services Require Knowledge of the Industry

It’s not enough for the translator to have extensive knowledge of the languages involved. He must also have a degree that qualifies him to understand the information in the documents, along with the vocabulary used. If he doesn’t understand the information he’s reading, it would difficult if not impossible for him to translate it correctly.

This is why you cannot use a general translator to work with technical documents. He will not have the skills to understand what he is reading, so there is no way to translate the information.

Here at UniVerse Language Solutions, we offer quality translation services you can depend on. Our translators have the knowledge and skills needed to take care of all your translation needs with complete accuracy. You can request a free quote or give us a call to gather more information on the services we provide.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Technical Translator

When you hire a professional, you’re not just getting a translator. You’re also getting his years of experience and all the knowledge he has acquired while gaining this experience. He will have the ability to transfer the material into the target language while making sure the original meaning of the text is preserved.

He has the knowledge and ability to conduct the necessary research to ensure the information is accurate. He will also edit and double check all documents before releasing them for approval, which will save you a lot of time and ensure that all deadlines are met.

Tips for Working with a Technical Translator

Before seeking technical translation services, determine what type of documents or text you need translated and this will help us determine exactly what type of services you’ll need. Set aside plenty of time to meet with us so we can discuss the details and find the best way to handle the job.

Our translators are professionals with years of experience, which means that we have the knowledge to make suggestions that will help accomplish your goals in the most efficient manner. You can rest easy knowing that all translations will be completed in a timely fashion and that all information is correct.

As your business expands to include foreign clients, you’ll need telephone interpreting services at some point. There are many reasons why you would need to talk to your clients and seeing them in person is not always an option. It’s less expensive and more efficient to conduct a lot of your business by phone and modern technology and interpretation services have made it easier than ever to do.

The two main things you need to do to get the most from your phone conversations are create the right environment and invest in good quality equipment. When the time arrives, these tips can help ensure everything goes smoothly.

The Quality of Your Equipment Does Matter When Using Telephone Interpreting Services

Have you ever tried to hold a conference meeting when your telephone was making crackling noises or when the call is cutting in and out? Not only is it very annoying but it can also create misunderstandings that can prevent you from closing important deals. Now, imagine how difficult it would be for a telephonic interpreter to do his job efficiently under these conditions.

For this reason, telephone conference interpretation requires a quality phone system that provides a clear transmission without interferences that can distort the messages and make it difficult for the interpreter to do his job. When the conference call includes using the computer, make sure you have a dependable broadband connection to avoid interruptions.

Create the Right Environment

It doesn’t matter how good your equipment is if you have a lot of background noises that make it difficult for the interpreter to do his job. Telephonic interpretation is classified as consecutive interpretation and it requires a lot of concentration. The interpreter has to listen carefully to the speaker, interpret the message and relay it to the receiving party.

If there are people talking in the background or equipment running drowning out the speaker, the interpreter won’t be able to do a quality job. For this reason, it’s imperative that you set up all telephone conferences in a quiet room where interruptions are limited.

Ensure Accuracy with These Tips

Telephone interpreting services are available to help you communicate more efficiently with your foreign clients. The interpreter is only there to relay the messages between you and the other party and nothing more. He doesn’t offer his opinion or make suggestions concerning your conversation and all information discussed during the phone conference is confidential.

To ensue your messages are being interpreted accurately, talk to the interpreter in first person as if he is the client. Since he will be interpreting everything you say as you speak, it would be confusing if you did not use first person or if you added anything not relevant to the conversation.

Keep your sentences short and to the point and allow breaks in-between for the interpreter to relay your message and the reply. When the other person is speaking, remain quiet and wait for the interpreter to finish before speaking again. Take breaks if the meeting is lasting more than about 20 to 30 minutes so the telephonic interpreter can rest.

When you follow these tips, use the right equipment and create a suitable environment, all of your phone meetings will be more productive.